Print Report
D006 Pinus palustris - Quercus hemisphaerica - Magnolia grandiflora Forest & Woodland Division
Type Concept Sentence: This mixed broadleaf evergreen (oak, magnolia) and pine (longleaf) forest and woodlands occur in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from southern Virginia, south to Florida and west to east Texas.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Longleaf Pine - Darlington Oak - Southern Magnolia Forest & Woodland Division
Colloquial Name: Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Division
Type Concept: This mixed broadleaf evergreen and pine forest and woodland type occurs in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain from southern Virginia, south to Florida and west to east Texas. It varies from dry to moist open pine woodlands to mesic, fire-protected broadleaf evergreen forests. The xeric to moist pine woodlands are typically dominated by Pinus palustris. The driest examples include both sand barrens or scrub dominated by Pinus palustris or Pinus clausa and xeric longleaf pine-dominated woodlands dominated by Pinus palustris with understories of Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, and/or Quercus margarettae. Mesic longleaf pine flatwoods have an open canopy of Pinus palustris with a grass-dominated ground layer, and a high diversity of forbs. Wet and mesic longleaf pine savannas and flatwoods have open canopies of Pinus palustris with or without other pines such as Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, Pinus serotina, or Pinus taeda. In contrast to the pine woodlands, the dry-mesic hardwood woodlands and forests are primarily evergreen broadleaf forests dominated by Quercus virginiana and/or Quercus hemisphaerica, or various combinations of Quercus fusiformis, Quercus geminata, Quercus hemisphaerica, and/or Quercus virginiana. Mesic mixed evergreen broad-leaved forests occur on slopes, bluffs, or sheltered ravines where fire is naturally rare. Stands typically contain Magnolia grandiflora, within its range, as well as Acer floridanum, Acer rubrum, Carya spp., Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia acuminata, Magnolia macrophylla, Magnolia pyramidata, Magnolia tripetala (these four occur in scattered areas in the coastal plain), Nyssa sylvatica, Pinus glabra (east of the Mississippi River), and Quercus alba. Ruderal forests may occur on former agricultural sites or sites repeatedly logged. Succession to a ruderal type may be favored by a lack of fire, which favors fire-intolerant and exotic species. Some typical ruderal species include the native conifers Pinus clausa, Pinus elliottii, and Pinus taeda, the native hardwoods Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Catalpa bignonioides, Catalpa speciosa, Celtis laevigata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Maclura pomifera, Quercus hemisphaerica, Quercus nigra, and the exotics Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Quercus acutissima, and Triadica sebifera.
The Southeastern Coastal Plain extends from the fall-line to the edge of the continental shelf, and is composed of alluvial and marine sediments. Much of the sediment, particularly at the surface, is siliceous alluvium, along with carbonaceous sediment. Common soil orders include sandy Entisols, Inceptisols, and Ultisols. The near-coastal maritime examples are affected by coastal processes, and are prone to salt spray effects and storm surge from major hurricanes. The climate of the coastal plain is humid subtropical, also referred to as warm-temperate, with mean daily temperatures between 0° and 18°C in the coldest month and >22°C in the warmest month. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year, and averages about 100 to 135 cm (40-55 cm a year). This region has the highest frequency of lightning strikes of any region in North America, leading to frequent fires.
The Southeastern Coastal Plain extends from the fall-line to the edge of the continental shelf, and is composed of alluvial and marine sediments. Much of the sediment, particularly at the surface, is siliceous alluvium, along with carbonaceous sediment. Common soil orders include sandy Entisols, Inceptisols, and Ultisols. The near-coastal maritime examples are affected by coastal processes, and are prone to salt spray effects and storm surge from major hurricanes. The climate of the coastal plain is humid subtropical, also referred to as warm-temperate, with mean daily temperatures between 0° and 18°C in the coldest month and >22°C in the warmest month. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year, and averages about 100 to 135 cm (40-55 cm a year). This region has the highest frequency of lightning strikes of any region in North America, leading to frequent fires.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The tree canopy is between 10-80+% cover, and dominated by a mix of needleleaf conifers, broadleaf evergreens and broadleaf deciduous trees. Strong diagnostics include the pines Pinus palustris, Pinus clausa, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, Pinus glabra (east of the Mississippi River), Pinus serotina, the oaks Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, Quercus margarettae, Quercus virginiana and/or Quercus hemisphaerica, Quercus fusiformis, or Quercus geminata, as well as other hardwoods, especially Magnolia grandiflora (within its range). Moderate to weak diagnostics (but common dominants) include Acer floridanum, Acer rubrum, Carya spp., Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, Magnolia acuminata, Magnolia macrophylla, Magnolia pyramidata, Magnolia tripetala (these four Magnolia spp. occur in scattered areas in the coastal plain), Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus alba. Diagnostic exotics include Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Quercus acutissima, and Triadica sebifera.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Distribution northward in Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri needs review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The structure varies from very open, fire-dependent pine woodland, with as little as 10% canopy cover to mesic, fire-protected broadleaf evergreen forests with closed canopies with >80% cover. Xeric stands may have a scrubby 5-m tall tree canopy. The most open stands (10-30% cover) are sometimes referred to as savannas. The ground layer varies from open grass or scrub in pine woodlands to dense shrub/herb layers in mesic conditions.
Floristics: The xeric to moist pine woodlands are typically dominated by Pinus palustris. The driest examples include scrub woodlands dominated by Pinus palustris or Pinus clausa, and taller, longleaf pine-dominated woodlands dominated by Pinus palustris with understories of Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, and/or Quercus margarettae. Mesic longleaf pine flatwoods have an open canopy of Pinus palustris with a grass-dominated ground layer and a high diversity of forbs. Wet and mesic longleaf pine savannas and flatwoods have open canopies of Pinus palustris with or without other pines such as Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, Pinus serotina, or Pinus taeda. In contrast to the pine woodlands, the dry-mesic hardwood woodlands and forests are primarily evergreen broadleaf forests dominated by Quercus virginiana and/or Quercus hemisphaerica, or various combinations of Quercus fusiformis, Quercus geminata, Quercus hemisphaerica, and/or Quercus virginiana. Mesic stands typically contain Magnolia grandiflora, within its range, as well as Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer rubrum, Carya spp., Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia acuminata, Magnolia macrophylla, Magnolia pyramidata, Magnolia tripetala (these four occur in scattered areas in the coastal plain), Nyssa sylvatica, Pinus glabra (east of the Mississippi River), and Quercus alba. Ruderal forests may occur on former agricultural sites or sites repeatedly logged. Succession to a ruderal type may be favored by a lack of fire, which favors fire-intolerant and exotic species. Some typical ruderal species include the native conifers Pinus clausa, Pinus elliottii, and Pinus taeda, the native hardwoods Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Catalpa bignonioides, Catalpa speciosa, Celtis laevigata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Maclura pomifera, Quercus hemisphaerica, Quercus nigra, and the exotics Albizia julibrissin, Broussonetia papyrifera, Quercus acutissima, and Triadica sebifera (= Sapium sebiferum).
Dynamics: Dynamics vary from dry to moist sites. Exposure to frequent, low-intensity surface fires is the dominant natural ecological process structuring the physiognomy of longleaf pine woodlands, influencing the local biodiversity. The absence of fire for only a few years may dramatically alter the physiognomy and composition of the lower strata, with understory hardwoods and shrubs crowding out the grasses and forbs. Maritime Quercus virginiana-dominated examples are influenced by coastal processes. Coastal erosion and accretion cause shifting of coastal landforms. Hurricanes and other storms can knock down large areas of coastal forests, and the influence of salt spray limits the plants that can survive along the coast. Mesic broadleaf forests, which often occur in ravines and on slopes near rivers or creeks, are naturally protected from wildland fire. Here, wind and heavy rain from hurricanes can cause canopy gaps where trees are toppled or broken.
Biogeography: The late Pleistocene studies of these forests show that during the Altonian sub-age of the Wisconsian (40,000 BP), there was forest vegetation similar to today''s forest vegetation across a broad band extending from the coast of Georgia across the Mississippi embayment and into east Texas. With the drop in sea levels, the coastal plain extended east and south into what is now ocean. Through the remainder of the Wisconsinan, this band shifted in relation to the changing ice mass to the north. Although not located in a single refuge, many constituents of the mixed mesophytic forest could be found in scattered habitats in the Southeast. Sea levels returned to near their current position by 5000 to 3500 year BP (Christensen 2000 and references therein).
Biogeography: The late Pleistocene studies of these forests show that during the Altonian sub-age of the Wisconsian (40,000 BP), there was forest vegetation similar to today''s forest vegetation across a broad band extending from the coast of Georgia across the Mississippi embayment and into east Texas. With the drop in sea levels, the coastal plain extended east and south into what is now ocean. Through the remainder of the Wisconsinan, this band shifted in relation to the changing ice mass to the north. Although not located in a single refuge, many constituents of the mixed mesophytic forest could be found in scattered habitats in the Southeast. Sea levels returned to near their current position by 5000 to 3500 year BP (Christensen 2000 and references therein).
Environmental Description: Climate: According to the Köppen classification, the climate of the Southeastern Coastal Plain is humid subtropical, also referred to as warm-temperate. Mean daily temperatures are between 0° and 18°C in the coldest month and >22°C in the warmest month. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year, and averages about 100 to 135 cm (40-55 cm a year). Although annual precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration throughout most of the year, summer dry periods may occur. In addition, this region has the highest frequency of lighting strikes of any region in North America, leading to frequent fires (Christensen 2000 and references therein).
Soils/Substrate: The forests of this division are on the Southeastern Coastal Plain, which extends from the fall-line to the edge of the continental shelf, and is composed of alluvial and marine sediments. Much of the sediment, particularly at the surface, is siliceous alluvium, along with carbonaceous sediment. These sediments have been reworked considerably by coastal and fluvial processes during the last 2-3 million years. Common soil orders include sandy Entisols (soils with virtually no profile development), Inceptisols (soils with weakly developed horizons) on alluvial plains, and Ultisols (highly weathered soils with a B horizon that contains translocated clays) (Christensen 2000 and references therein). The near-coastal maritime examples are affected by coastal processes, and are prone to salt spray effects and storm surge from major hurricanes.
Soils/Substrate: The forests of this division are on the Southeastern Coastal Plain, which extends from the fall-line to the edge of the continental shelf, and is composed of alluvial and marine sediments. Much of the sediment, particularly at the surface, is siliceous alluvium, along with carbonaceous sediment. These sediments have been reworked considerably by coastal and fluvial processes during the last 2-3 million years. Common soil orders include sandy Entisols (soils with virtually no profile development), Inceptisols (soils with weakly developed horizons) on alluvial plains, and Ultisols (highly weathered soils with a B horizon that contains translocated clays) (Christensen 2000 and references therein). The near-coastal maritime examples are affected by coastal processes, and are prone to salt spray effects and storm surge from major hurricanes.
Geographic Range: This type occurs in the coastal plain from Maryland and southern Virginia, south to Florida and west to east Texas.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, DE?, FL, GA, KY?, LA, MD?, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860388
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.1 Longleaf Pine / Pineland Three-awn Woodland Macrogroup | M007 | 1.B.1.Na.1 |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.2 Live Oak - Texas Live Oak - Darlington Oak Forest Macrogroup | M885 | 1.B.1.Na.2 |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.3 American Beech - Southern Magnolia - White Oak Forest Macrogroup | M008 | 1.B.1.Na.3 |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.90 Sweetgum - Loblolly Pine - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M305 | 1.B.1.Na.90 |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Deciduous Dicotyledonous - Evergreen Dicotyledonous - Coniferous Forest (Greller 1989) [This type and Temperate Broadleaved Evergreen Forest largely equate to this division concept.]
> Live Oak - Sea Oats (90) (Küchler 1964) [The maritime forests.]
> Maritime Vegetation Gradients / Maritime Forest (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. Christensen (p. 430) briefly notes this type.]
> Sand Pine Scrub (115) (Küchler 1964) [Küchler''s type may also include the scrub/shrub types, which are excluded here.]
= Southeastern Deciduous and Evergreen Forest (Brown et al. 1998) [Very similar mapped concept.]
> Southern Mixed Forest (112) (Küchler 1964) [This type is largely equivalent to this division, but see also Küchler''s Live Oak - Sea Oats type.]
= Southern Mixed Hardwood Forest (Greller 2013) [Largely equivalent.]
> Temperate Broadleaved Evergreen Forest (Greller 1989) [This type and Deciduous Dicotyledonous - Evergreen Dicotyledonous - Coniferous Forest largely equate to this division concept.]
> Upland Hardwood Forest (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. See p. 416ff.]
> Upland Pine Forest Vegetation (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. See p. 402. Christensen also includes New Jersey Pine Barrens, which we treat elsewhere, with G161/M502.]
> Live Oak - Sea Oats (90) (Küchler 1964) [The maritime forests.]
> Maritime Vegetation Gradients / Maritime Forest (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. Christensen (p. 430) briefly notes this type.]
> Sand Pine Scrub (115) (Küchler 1964) [Küchler''s type may also include the scrub/shrub types, which are excluded here.]
= Southeastern Deciduous and Evergreen Forest (Brown et al. 1998) [Very similar mapped concept.]
> Southern Mixed Forest (112) (Küchler 1964) [This type is largely equivalent to this division, but see also Küchler''s Live Oak - Sea Oats type.]
= Southern Mixed Hardwood Forest (Greller 2013) [Largely equivalent.]
> Temperate Broadleaved Evergreen Forest (Greller 1989) [This type and Deciduous Dicotyledonous - Evergreen Dicotyledonous - Coniferous Forest largely equate to this division concept.]
> Upland Hardwood Forest (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. See p. 416ff.]
> Upland Pine Forest Vegetation (Christensen 2000) [This type and two other types equate to this division. See p. 402. Christensen also includes New Jersey Pine Barrens, which we treat elsewhere, with G161/M502.]
- Braun, E. L. 1950. Deciduous forests of eastern North America. Hafner Press, New York. 596 pp.
- Brown, D. E., F. Reichenbacher, and S. E. Franson. 1998. A classification of North American biotic communities. The University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City. 141 pp.
- Christensen, N. L. 2000. Vegetation of the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Pages 398-448 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Delcourt, H. R., and P. A. Delcourt. 2000. Eastern deciduous forests. Pages 357-395 in: Barbour, M. G., and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Greller, A. M. 1989. Correlation of warmth and temperateness with the distributional limits of zonal forests in eastern North America. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 116:145-163.
- Greller, A. M. 2013. Climate and regional composition of deciduous forest in eastern North America and comparisons with some Asian forests. Botanica Pacifica 2:3-18.
- Küchler, A. W. 1964. Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous United States. American Geographic Society Special Publication 36. New York, NY. 116 pp.